Custom Workout Metrics on Screen in iOS 18

With the release of iOS 18 and watchOS 11, Apple expanded how workout data is displayed and tracked in real time across the Apple Watch and mirrored onto the iPhone via Live Activities. This guide outlines the custom metrics you can monitor on screen during training sessions, covering standard stats, advanced running form metrics, cycling power profiles, and interval-specific target data.

Standard Performance Metrics

During any standard workout, iOS 18 allows you to display fundamental performance indicators across customizable workout views:

  • Duration: Elapsed time, segment time, or split time.
  • Distance: Total distance covered in miles or kilometers.
  • Calories: Active calories burned and total calories burned.
  • Pace and Speed: Current pace, average pace, rolling pace (e.g., the last mile or kilometer), current speed, and average speed.

Heart Rate and Intensity Metrics

For cardiovascular training, you can configure dedicated Heart Rate views or incorporate specific heart metrics into standard views:

  • Current Heart Rate: Real-time beats per minute (BPM).
  • Average Heart Rate: Session-wide BPM average.
  • Heart Rate Zones: Visual graphs displaying Zones 1 through 5, highlighting your current zone and time spent in each zone.

Advanced Running Mechanics

For outdoor and indoor running, Apple incorporates sensor-driven biomechanics metrics directly into the display:

  • Running Power: Measured in watts to gauge continuous effort output.
  • Cadence: Steps per minute (SPM).
  • Ground Contact Time: Milliseconds spent on the ground with each footstrike.
  • Stride Length: Real-time distance per stride.
  • Vertical Oscillation: Up-and-down bounce measured in centimeters.

Cycling-Specific Metrics

When connected to Bluetooth accessories like power meters, speed sensors, or cadence sensors, the Workout screen can showcase cycling data:

  • Cycling Power: Real-time wattage output.
  • Power Zones: Based on Functional Threshold Power (FTP), showing 1–7 zones.
  • Cadence: Revolutions per minute (RPM).
  • Speed: Instantaneous and average cycling speeds.

Elevation and Terrain Data

For outdoor activities such as hiking, trail running, and cycling:

  • Elevation Gain: Total vertical feet or meters climbed.
  • Current Elevation: Current altitude relative to sea level.
  • Grade Profile: Real-time slope steepness percentage.

Custom Workouts and Interval Views

When running or cycling using structured workouts, additional dynamic targets appear:

  • Step Time or Distance Remaining: Countdown counters for intervals or recovery periods.
  • Target Pace/Heart Rate Offsets: Alerts and visual cues indicating whether you are ahead of, behind, or within your pre-set target window.
  • Segment Splits: Real-time updates every time a lap, split, or interval ends.

How to Configure Display Views

  1. Open the Workout app on Apple Watch.
  2. Tap the More (...) icon on the workout profile you want to customize.
  3. Tap the Edit (Pencil) icon next to the selected profile.
  4. Select Workout Views, then choose Edit Views.
  5. Toggle views on or off, or select individual metric slots to swap them with any of the available metrics above. When using an iPhone running iOS 18, these selected views automatically mirror to your screen via the Fitness Live Activity.